Energy: New Southwest power line to boost production, distribution of renewable energy

‘The SunZia transmission line will finally unlock New Mexico’s stranded wind and solar resources and move that energy to market’

Staff Report

FRISCO — A $2 billion, 550-mile transmission line project will bolster the U.S. energy grid’s capacity to use power generated from renewable sources in the Southwest, Obama administration leaders said as they announced approval for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project.

The line will run from the proposed SunZia East Substation in Lincoln County, New Mexico, to the existing Pinal Central Substation in Pinal County, Arizona.

“The SunZia Project will help unlock the abundant renewable energy resources in the Southwest, creating jobs and bringing reliable, sustainable power to a growing corner of our country,” said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.